I'd recommend focusing on the risk and reward of the blockchain. Basically an uneditable p2p ledger that is accessible by everyone. The problem is the vulnerability to quantum computers. But with those being invented, bitcoin is not the only thing at risk.

How can topic about Bitcoin be way to narrow? I don't get it. You can write about the blockchain technology in essence. You can write about its decentralized nature and why is it important for the world -snip-.

I gave you just some pointers, there is really so many things to write about out there. Just use your imagination and research.

I want a specific question as to which I will do my research on, most of your point here is related to Economics while I'm doing a Comp. Sc. related essay.

Ok, I see, my bad! Here is a possible good one. Possible influence of quantum computers on Bitcoin in the future. Is Bitcoin secure if quantum computers do show up?

Hmm, that and the earlier idea combined might just be it. Thanks for the contribution

If something like quantum computers do in fact get invented, not only bitcoin but pretty much everything that is online now would not be secure. As far as I know normal currencies use some kind of SHA encryption too.

Yes you are right. Banks are using similar encryptions for their cross banking services and online banking of their customers.

Yet, it would be interesting to speculate on certain problems and solutions that quantum computers would bring into all of the financial sector, together with Bitcoin!

If I made a eassay of bitcoin I will watch all the documentaries of it and focus what is the most important about bit[Suspicious link removed]d luck to you I hope you will make a good essay about bitcoin.

There are to many other cryptos that pretend to have qualities that bitcoin don't have. In a certain way these pretend to be better cryptocurrencies than bitcoin. There are several cryptos that are having success in the market or in the connection and the use of the technology in which they are based to be build with several business. So are not only clones but probably are offering something new or different if are able to have good value at the market. Naturally are not competitors of bitcoin in the market but most of those have even much spread in other areas of technology and economy. In other words may have something that can be interesting to analyse and to compare with bitcoin. This can be a very interesting thing to be analysed and realized and can bring a good essays. Maybe it is not necessary to analyse with all of those but with two or three chosen between the most successful ones I think that can be made. Or even with only one. That depends from the data you can have.

I suggest to keep your essay simple and easy to read and understand. The average perception of Bitcoin is negative currently. So it is easier to let the audience know what Bitcoin is as it is and not to swing them to be positive.

The best thing for you to do is being able to explain the impact the bitcoin is having when it comes to digital currency. Also in your essay, be sure to indicate and discuss the future of bitcoins. In the world of computing, people are moving from the paperless money and slowly into the digital currency. Just have a comparison in terms of use and how it has brought revolution. Talk also on some of the security flaws and shortcoming that are related to bitcoins. When we talk of internet and money, security factors must always be considered.

The most important thing to focus on Bitcoin is basically the Blockchain itself and how it does to allow decentralisation ,the possible attacks against it and migration techniques. With Blockchain, you have to talk about the mining process and how Bitcoin nodes helps to enforce the rules. You can also focus on quantum computing and explain how ECDSA can be compromised and how to migrate the threat.

Thanks everyone, although I at first had Bitcoin related topic in my mind for extended essay, I felt it might be a bit too broad to include in 4k words. Hence I chose random numbers, provably fair(compared it to other RNGs etc) to be specific. Sorry if I wasted anyone's time

Hey there everyone, I'm currently finishing my diploma and have to hand in my Extended essay. My topic is going to be Bitcoin(Comp. science) , although it seemed like a good idea at start , the topic seems to be quite too narrow. I have to research about Bitcoin, what part of it should I do the research on?Thanks in advance for the answer

What a creative idea.For starters explaning the nature and essence of bitcoin would be good. The network, how it is maintained (miners) how it is sustained in price (block halving).

If there is time left compare bitcoin with some traditional payment system. Weigh the pro's and the cons etc.

How can topic about Bitcoin be way to narrow? I don't get it. You can write about the blockchain technology in essence. You can write about its decentralized nature and why is it important for the world -snip-.

I gave you just some pointers, there is really so many things to write about out there. Just use your imagination and research.

I want a specific question as to which I will do my research on, most of your point here is related to Economics while I'm doing a Comp. Sc. related essay.

Ok, I see, my bad! Here is a possible good one. Possible influence of quantum computers on Bitcoin in the future. Is Bitcoin secure if quantum computers do show up?

Hmm, that and the earlier idea combined might just be it. Thanks for the contribution

If something like quantum computers do in fact get invented, not only bitcoin but pretty much everything that is online now would not be secure. As far as I know normal currencies use some kind of SHA encryption too.

Yes you are right. Banks are using similar encryptions for their cross banking services and online banking of their customers.

Yet, it would be interesting to speculate on certain problems and solutions that quantum computers would bring into all of the financial sector, together with Bitcoin!

Even the quantum computer problem is already solved. The fact that most people use a new bitcoin address each time would make a bitcoin quantum attack pretty much useless. In the future new addresses will be generated and used automatically.

Another idea for the math-minded would be to take the time between blocks data and see if those times conform to the expected probability of time between blocks (10 minute average, Poisson Distribution (?)).

If you know your statistics, that would be an interesting study and not be "too broad" nor too narrow.

Even the quantum computer problem is already solved. The fact that most people use a new bitcoin address each time would make a bitcoin quantum attack pretty much useless. In the future new addresses will be generated and used automatically.

If we increase the length of bitcoin address, is it more difficult for quantum computer to crack?